Tesla is set to conduct a large-scale recall of 1.62 million vehicles. Luckily, the identified technical issues can be resolved remotely.
A white Tesla car on the road – illustrative photo. Image credit: Taun Stewart via Unsplash, free license
This recall is related to technical issues in models S, X, 3, and Y sold in China. This information was announced by the state market regulator last week.
Car recalls occur due to various factors, most commonly stemming from safety or performance issues discovered in specific vehicle models. These issues may arise from manufacturing defects, design flaws, or problems identified after the vehicles have been released to the market. The purpose of these measures is to address concerns related to the safety, functionality, or compliance of the affected vehicles with regulatory standards.
This recall in Tesla’s second-largest market comes on the heels of two recalls initiated by the automaker in the United States in December.
The China State Administration for Market Regulation has indicated that Tesla has the capability to remotely address the identified issues through vehicle upgrades. This action is classified as a product recall in accordance with Chinese regulations.
The U.S. automaker is set to deploy an over-the-air software update for 1.61 million units, including imported Models S and X, as well as China-manufactured Models 3 and Y cars produced between 2014 and 2023.
This update aims to prevent the misuse of the Autosteer function, mitigating the risk of collisions, as stated by the regulator. Additionally, Tesla will conduct software upgrades for 7,538 units of Models S and X to address the issue of doors potentially unlocking during crashes.
This move follows Tesla’s recalls in the United States, involving more than 2 million vehicles, to enhance safety features in its Autopilot system and address concerns regarding door unlocking during crashes for over 120,000 Model S and Model X vehicles.
Manufacturers initiate recalls either voluntarily or in response to directives from regulatory authorities. The goal is to rectify identified problems and ensure the well-being of vehicle occupants and others on the road. Recalls typically involve repairing or replacing faulty components, systems, or software through service campaigns or software updates.
Written by Alius Noreika